Vitamin D, also called the “sunshine vitamin,” is both a hormone and a vitamin, manufactured in the body upon exposure to sunshine. Two biologically inactive precursors – D3 (cholecalciferol) and D2 (ergocalciferol) are transformed in the liver and kidneys. Vitamin D is essential for the regulation of serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase, and thus helps to produce and maintain bone. It has also been associated with the prevention of certain cancers, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis, as well as recent evidence that it leads to significant reductions in body fat mass (read more on the study here).

Since vitamin D heavily depends on sunlight exposure, the populations in some northern countries, especially in the winter months, make little to no vitamin D on their own, meaning that the need for dietary supplementation and fortified foods is necessary to meet the need. Significant vitamin D deficiency in adults is reported to precipitate or exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, fractures, common cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, depression and other inflammatory process.

What can you do?

The recommended daily dietary allowance of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels is between 2,000-4,000 IUs. Additionally, there is a number of food sources that contain vitamin D:

It is important to consider the sources of the fish, such as fresh, wild-caught, non-farmed options!

Cod liver oil – remember to watch your sources!

Eggs – organic, hormone- and antibiotic-free

And of course, SUNSHINE, 15 minutes three times a week! Since vitamin D is manufactured in the body at the time of sun exposure, it is vital to spend time outside in order to allow for the conversion of the inactive precursor compounds into active form. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a concern in itself, but it is important to be conscientious and safe, as season, time of day, length of day, cloud cover, smog, skin melanin content, and sunscreen are among the factors that affect UV radiation exposure and vitamin D synthesis.

Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as sensory processing disorders (SPD), shows impairment in detecting, modulating, interpreting, or responding to sensory stimuli. Many times the symptoms closely resemble those of ADHD and autism. The signs may include difficulty reading and writing, organization and time management, clumsiness, lack of social skills, lack of desire to play, and others that do not allow the child to be child-like.

Some of the factors affecting proper functionality in neural formation are deeply rooted in epigenetic changes during the crucial pre- and post-natal developmental time periods. These factors may stem from in-vitro, birth and/or early childhood traumas, lack of breastfeeding, vaccinations, food sensitivities, and environmental toxins. All of these create a neurological insult to the body, especially when considering an immature system of a child.

Two recent studies published in the 2011 edition of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health have shown that chiropractic care increased functionality in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Read more in Natural News.

My approach: Chiropractic care, in conjunction with sensorimotor re-education (through play), anti-inflammatory diet, and nutritional supplements, aid in addressing the mechanical and chemical aspects of the nervous system by re-establishing the appropriate rhythm of neurologic flow.

Common knowledge: Mother’s breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for an infant.

Not-so-common knowledge: Breast milk is packed with a significant variety of live cells that support the infant’s whole system.

The components of breast milk include leukocytes (white blood cells), macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. The largest component of lymphocytes are T-cells, which include CD8+ (cytotoxic) and CD4+ (helper) T-cells, with activated memory cells that support and influence the infant’s immune system.

All of these cells can easily be absorbed by the infant through the mucosal membrane of the intestine, where they continue to carry out their normal functions and promote proper digestive flora. On the other hand, artificial infant formulas are much more difficult to digest and may additionally cause inflammatory reactions in the body.

Researchers have found that breast-fed babies have a decreased risk of dying of SIDS, fewer ear infections, less likelihood of obesity or cardiovascular disease, fewer hospitalizations for pneumonia, and many, many more. Review the diagram below…

The current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy calls for exclusive breast-feeding for “about 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant.” Some of the benefits for the mothers include a decreased risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers.

Processed industrialized food and the fast-food culture require us to be extremely careful when feeding the children. With the ever-present risk of childhood diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, allergies or worse, it is important to teach children healthy food habits that will last them a lifetime. Pleasing the picky eaters with limited palates may be a challenge for a number of parents, but here are 10 suggestions to help navigate the kitchen and teach the importance of wholesome nutrition to the little ones.

Cook with raw and organic ingredients. Yes, this means cooking, which can be a challenge for busy schedules or less cooking experience. However, more nutritional value and have more control over what you’re eating is a significant trade-off.

Stay away from processed foods as much as possible. If you must do quick meals, get organic ones – at least they will have better ingredients, which are stocked in most grocery stores.

More vegetables. This may be tough for picky eaters, but there are lots of sneaky methods to include vegetables in a child’s diet. Our favorite is to blend them up and put them in with a sauce or soup. Instantly, they’re invisible, and the kids don’t think twice about eating them.

Choose the meat wisely. It is of vital importance of choose the proper type of lean protein that is free of hormones, antibiotics, and toxins.

Don’t keep junk food in the house. If it’s in the house, the kids will find it and eat it.

Pack healthy snacks. When you’re out and your child is suddenly hungry, you will be equipped rather than having to turn to junk- or fast-food. There are many good organic and healthy snacks to choose from these days, like snack bars, apple sauce, cheese, crackers and little squeeze-bottle baby foods.

Eat out less. The trouble with eating in a restaurant is you have no control over the food, and even great restaurants cut costs by using the cheapest ingredients possible.

Drink water. Sweetened drinks and soda lead to major health issues and obesity in children. Kids also need far less milk than American “official” sources say (milk is especially important to choose organic and not overly pasteurized).

Less GMOs. Part of the advantage of buying organic foods is they usually aren’t genetically modified organisms (GMO). There are many negative consequences of our kids eating GMO foods, like developing allergies, resistance to antibiotics, and negatively influencing sexual development. Steer clear of them as much as possible.

Create little sous-chefs. Engaging the kids in choosing, preparing, and cooking the food will increase the interest in their nutrition and will open their minds to what they are eating.

Have family meals. Make an event out of meal-times instead of rushing through them or eating them at different times. This will develop a healthy ritual and perspective around meal times.

Yoga has become incorporated in a number of different clinical settings. Among them are the military medical centers, such as Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, which houses one of the largest rehabilitation facilities for wounded warriors in the country. Many of the active-duty military members, even without extensive physical injuries, experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) upon return from the war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq. The symptoms include depression, periodical nightmares, restless sleep, panic attacks, flashbacks, loss of memory, loss of focus, extreme tiredness, as well as alienation of the body awareness.

Including yoga in the treatment of military personnel suffering from PTSD has shown a positive effect to reduce physical, emotional, mental, and subconscious tension. Yoga therapy allows for a combination of fitness and stress relief, while offering a non-competitive and non-judgmental environment that facilitates healing effects. Additionally, yogic relaxation, such as Yoga Nidra, uses deep breathing and meditation to further systemically affect stress relief and healing, with effects of body sensing, breath and energy awareness, experience of joy and well-being, and more.

**This post is dedicated by my amazing friend Michael Boucher, who became a double amputee following an IED attack in Afghanistan, on June 12, 2011. Michael has been an inspiration to me way before he became a Marine and took on the journey to make a difference in the world. Following his injuries, he has persevered in the most courageous ways by pushing himself to the edge and conquering what may have seemed impossible, such as skydiving, hand-cycling marathons, mono-skiing at the X-Games, etc. Michael has turned every obstacle into a victory and I am so proud of all of his hard work, as it is a lesson for the rest of us to keep pushing and not taking no for an answer.

Please bring awareness and support an organization Team X-T.R.E.M.E. who honor, empower, and motivate wounded warriors. Michael is one of their Warrior Athletes.

Michael, I am so grateful and honored for your presence and the lessons you are teaching me and many more through your courage, honor, and love. You are a blessing! Love, Tijana

Breast milk is one of your biggest resources! It helps to increase hydration, receive antibodies, use breast milk’s antimicrobial properties, fight infections, and many more.

If using any additional products, ensure that the products come from clean, organic sources, especially if there is skin contact involved. Since it will be introduced in the blood stream within 20 minutes, it is essential that the products, such as oils, lotions, and rubs, are in their purest form possible.

Taking your infant to a pediatric chiropractor will help the healing process, both if there is a health concern or for preventative care. Maintaining an intact nervous system is vital part of achieving optimal health for the infant. Some helpful FAQs here.